Diverse Reads Book Challenge: 2017

Well, we want to encourage the reading and support of diverse books and marginalized voices, and therefore this challenge hopes to help you read more diversely in 2017!

HOW DO WE CLASSIFY A BOOK AS DIVERSE?

The main character – or one of the leads, who preferably has a POV – has to belong to a diverse group. According to the definition of We Need Diverse Books

“We recognize all diverse experiences, including (but not limited to) LGBTQIA, Native, people of color, gender diversity, people with disabilities*, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.

*We subscribe to a broad definition of disability, which includes but is not limited to physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, chronic conditions, and mental illnesses (this may also include addiction). Furthermore, we subscribe to a social model of disability, which presents disability as created by barriers in the social environment, due to lack of equal access, stereotyping, and other forms of marginalization.”

Furthermore if you have any doubt regarding whether a book is diverse or not, feel free to ask either Shelly or Me via twitter. I am @chasingfaes and Shelly is @shellysrambles.

CERTAIN THINGS TO KNOW

The books you read can be MG/YA/NA or adult, as well as in any format – paperback, hardcover, ebooks, audiobooks, graphic novels, anthologies, short stories etc.

The books you read can be released at any time, can be ARCs and can be rereads. And it can coincide with another challenge you’re taking part in.

The challenge will run from January 1st to December 31st, and you can join in at any time you want.

You don’t have to have a blog in order to participate, but we’d prefer if you review or talk about book in some platform, namely twitter, instagram or goodreads

We don’t have levels or points, as we’re trying to promote the reading of diversity, and we want you to set your own goals!

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR?

We have created mini challenges for each month! We have designated a theme for each month, and while you are not required to read a book that falls in that particular category, this is something we created for those who like to challenge themselves a bit.

January – Stories based on/ inspired by diverse folktales/culture/mythology

February – POC/ Biracial/ Multiracial Main Character/Lead

March – Disability

April – Mental Health

May – Religious Diversity

June and July – Sexuality and Gender Identity

August – Non Western Setting

September – Ownvoices

October – Intersectionality

November – Diverse Retelling

December – 2017 Releases

I’m actually just going to go with the “more diversity” in my reading – as I find that many of the historic and contemporary romances that are more ‘mainstream’ are often lacking in diversity that is actually there in society (anyone who watched Friends should know this).